CONMED System 2450 / 5000 Series

Asset Type

Electrosurgical Unit (ESU)

Manufacturer

CONMED

Model

System 2450 / 5000 Series

What This Guide Helps With

This guide helps troubleshoot Err 114 on a CONMED System 2450 / 5000 Series electrosurgical unit. Err 114 indicates a display or keyboard SPI communication failure, which may cause control panel problems, display issues, or unreliable user input. Because the operator may not be able to confirm settings or control the ESU correctly, the unit should not be used clinically until the issue is resolved.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

Ensure Patient Safety First

• Remove the ESU from patient use if Err 114 is active.
• Do not continue using the unit if the display is frozen, blank, delayed, or unreliable.
• Do not continue using the unit if the keyboard or front panel controls do not respond correctly.
• Provide staff with a known working backup ESU if electrosurgery is needed.
• Keep the affected unit out of clinical use until normal display and keyboard operation are verified.

Verify the Reported Error and Behavior

• Power the unit on in a safe non-patient-use setting.
• Confirm that the displayed error is Err 114.
• Ask clinical staff when the issue occurred, such as during startup, POST, setup, or after touching the front panel controls.
• Check whether the display is blank, frozen, delayed, flickering, or showing abnormal information.
• Check whether buttons respond correctly and whether settings can be changed normally.
• Note whether the problem is constant or intermittent.

Cycle System Power

• Turn the ESU off.
• Disconnect the power cord briefly.
• Reconnect the power cord and turn the unit back on.
• Allow the unit to complete startup without pressing any keys.
• If Err 114 clears, perform a full functional check of the display, keyboard, mode selection, and power setting adjustments before returning the unit to service.

Check the Power Source and Startup Conditions

• Verify the ESU is connected to a known good hospital-grade outlet.
• Confirm the power cord is fully seated and undamaged.
• Avoid questionable power strips, loose outlets, damaged extension cords, or unstable power sources.
• Restart the ESU using the verified outlet and check whether Err 114 returns.

Inspect the Front Panel and Display Area

• Inspect the display and keyboard area for visible damage.
• Check for a cracked overlay, sticky buttons, stuck keys, or signs of impact.
• Look for evidence of liquid intrusion or cleaning solution entry around the front panel.
• Confirm no button appears physically stuck or depressed.
• If the front panel is damaged or contaminated, remove the ESU from service for repair evaluation.

Remove External Accessories and Retest

• Disconnect unnecessary accessories before retesting.
• Remove footswitches, active handpieces, return electrode cables, bipolar accessories, and smoke evacuator activation cables if connected.
• Power the unit on with only the power cord connected.
• If Err 114 clears, reconnect accessories one at a time and retest.
• If Err 114 remains, continue troubleshooting the display and keyboard communication path.

Verify Keyboard and Display Function

• If the ESU starts without the error, test the front panel controls.
• Confirm buttons respond correctly and consistently.
• Confirm the display changes properly when settings are adjusted.
• Verify displayed settings match the selected mode and output setting.
• If the controls lag, freeze, fail to respond, or behave inconsistently, remove the unit from service.

Inspect Accessible Cable Connections During Bench Evaluation

• With the ESU removed from service, have qualified personnel inspect the cable path between the Display assembly and Controller assembly.
• Check for loose connectors, partially seated ribbon cables, damaged harnesses, pinched cable routing, corrosion, or contamination.
• Reseat accessible connections only if permitted by facility policy and service procedures.
• After correcting any connection issue, retest startup, display operation, and keyboard response.

Isolate the Likely Display, Cable, or Controller Failure

• If Err 114 persists after external checks, treat the issue as an internal communication-path failure.
• Likely fault areas include the Display-to-Controller cable, Display assembly, or Controller assembly.
• Do not keep swapping unrelated accessories once external causes have been ruled out.
• Do not return the unit to clinical use with unresolved display or keyboard communication faults.

Perform Advanced Signal Verification If Qualified

• During qualified bench service, verify SPI communication activity if the facility is equipped and authorized to perform this level of testing.
• Signals of interest may include SPI_SCK, SPI_MOSI, and SPI_MISO.
• Abnormal or missing SPI activity may help separate a cable or display issue from a controller issue.
• Do not perform board-level repair unless it is within facility capability, training, and policy.

If the Problem Persists

If Err 114 continues after power cycling, power source verification, accessory removal, front panel inspection, keyboard/display checks, and accessible cable inspection, external causes have been ruled out.

A persistent Err 114 indicates a likely internal display, keyboard communication cable, Display assembly, or Controller assembly failure.

Remove the device from service, label it Out of Service, and send it for repair or qualified bench evaluation. Do not return the ESU to clinical use with unresolved display or keyboard communication faults.

Clinical Use Tip

Never troubleshoot an ESU communication error on an active patient. If the display or keyboard is unreliable, staff may not be able to confirm power settings, mode selection, or device status. Move the patient to a backup device first, then evaluate the affected ESU away from patient use.

Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)

CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution

Complaint

What was reported by the clinical staff.

Example:
"CONMED System 2450 / 5000 Series ESU displayed Err 114 display or keyboard SPI communication failure during startup. Staff reported display/control panel communication issue."

Cause

What was observed during troubleshooting.

Example:
"Confirmed Err 114 on startup. Power source, external accessories, front panel condition, and keyboard/display response were checked. Fault persisted, indicating likely internal display-to-controller communication issue involving cable, Display assembly, or Controller assembly."

Resolution

What action was taken.

Example:
"Removed ESU from service and labeled Out of Service. Sent for bench evaluation/repair of Display-to-Controller cable, Display assembly, or Controller assembly. Unit not returned to service pending repair and functional verification."

Helpful Details to Include (If Known)

• Alarm behavior
• Accessories swapped
• Power behavior
• Environmental factors
• Indicator lights
• Final device status

Final Thought

Err 114 should be treated as a real communication failure until proven otherwise. Start with patient safety, confirm the error, rule out simple external causes, and then isolate the display, keyboard, cable, and controller communication path. If the fault persists, remove the ESU from service and document the complaint, observed cause, and resolution clearly.

That is successful troubleshooting.